Emanuel Beatty has been to adult skate every Thursday and Sunday night for two years. Christopher Smith | Special to The Star

We see you rolling: Adult skating scene thrives in Northland

Rachel Dion is a regular at adult skate night. Christopher Smith | Special to InkTravis Redmond shows his skills. Christopher Smith | Special to InkShardae Williams, Teyana Miller, Teaira Miller and Derric Durham lace up before hitting the rink. Christopher Smith | Special to InkMichelle Barrett of Kansas City, Kan.. Christopher Smith | Special to InkSearch Smiley of Kansas City. Christopher Smith | Special to The StarMyron Frye has moves. The personal trainer has been skating since 1976 and has been coming to adult skate night twice a week since 2003. “I love it because it’s inspiration for me,” he says. Christopher Smith | Special to InkZach Riley shows his moves during adult night at Winnwood Skate Center. Christopher Smith | Special to The StarFriends dance as they skate at Winnwood Skate Center. Christopher Smith | Special to The StarFriends dance as they skate at Winnwood Skate Center. Christopher Smith | Special to The StarFriends dance as they skate at Winnwood Skate Center. Christopher Smith | Special to The StarFriends dance as they skate. Christopher Smith | Special to InkJeanaya Knox goes by the name Savvy on the rink. Christopher Smith | Special to The StarMichelle Barrett sits by the rental skates. Christopher Smith | Special to The StarFriends hang out at Winnwood Skate Center during the 18+ Just Roll With it skate night. Winnwood hosts two nights of adult skating, Thursday and Sunday. Christopher Smith | Special to The StarFriends hang out at Winnwood Skate Center during the 18+ Just Roll With it skate night. Christopher Smith | Special to The StarA disco ball hangs over the hardwood floor. Christopher Smith | Special to Ink

May 23, 2017 at 2:34 PMStory and photos by Christopher Smith Special to Ink

“Either you skate or you sit at home,” Emanuel Beatty says after a few dazzling moves on the hardwood roller rink at Winnwood Skate Center, 4426 N.E. Winn Road in Kansas City, North. “It’s cheaper and easier than being in the streets,” he adds.

The Kansas City skate center’s two adult skate nights, Thursday and Sunday, are as much about the social scene as they are about skating. But the skating matters too — a lot. It is fast, smooth and flashy. “Skating gives you an opportunity to release your mind from stress, from anything. You can skate it away,” Jasmin Williams says.

After Hours is Christopher Smith’s photo column exploring Kansas City at night. Send story ideas to info@inkkc.com.